Copper Smelter

COPPER SMELTER

"Maligaya na ako sa baku-bakong daan kaysa kalsadang sementado na bangkay ang dadaan." (I would rather have lumpy alleys than a paved street where my corpse would pass.) An old man from Barrio Calubcub has very well said it that way. Technology is for society when it is coupled with responsibility.

San Juan has always been an agricultural town. In 1977, 80 percent of its total land area of 24,588 hectares are lush plantations of coconuts, rice farms and orchards. 70 percent of its 54,000 residents are engaged in farming, 20 percent are in the fishing industry and 10 percent maintain employment.

22 years ago, the first copper smelter was to be set in San Juan.

The townspeople agreed that the plan was certainly promoting an economic upgrade. Employment rates will increase during the construction of the copper smelter. Roads will improve. The municipality will be able to collect additional taxes after the grace period.

Horacio Marasigan, the secretary-general of the Concerned Citizens of San Juan, a socio-civic group, arranged consultations with several duly recognized scientists and environmentalists, both local and foreign. He understood that he would not be fooled by superficial developments. He pursued extensive research.

The results of the study clearly stated that the copper smelter would emit sulfur dioxide. And part of the sulfur dioxide discharged will slowly combine with water that is either moisture in the air or fine rain showers thus forming droplets of sulfurous acid. And during this process, the greater part of the sulfur dioxide will be oxidized to sulfur trioxide, which is readily soluble in water. And this will result in the formation of droplets of strong sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid would have adverse biological and environmental effects not only in San Juan but in the neighboring towns as well. Marine life would die. It would kill vegetation. The constant fall of sulfide would change the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. The intake of poison would induce hazardous effects on terrestrial animals.

Moreover, the government could not guarantee 100 percent pollution control. According to the secretary-general, anything less would be unacceptable. Inasmuch as the government could not, the Philippine Allied Smelting and Refining Corporation, owner of the copper smelter would not assume liability for environmental disaster.

The copper smelter entails very serious health effects such as emphysema, bronchitis and lung cancer. And the Philippines has never been willing to risk so many lives for technological advancement.

The initial concern of the secretary-general was to properly educate the townspeople on the implications of sustaining a copper smelter. And that alone was very difficult to do since they had already been brainwashed, relentlessly misinformed by the government. They capitalized on the idea that someday their little town will be a city.

The president supported the construction of the copper smelter. And during the time of the Marcos administration, the president's word was the law. Besides, the government has put P 40,000,000.00 into expenditure for the copper smelter. Housing projects for the employees were prepared. Engineering studies were taken from Japan.

Nevertheless, the secretary-general continued to carryout his conviction to persuade the townspeople to carefully understand the biological and environmental considerations of the copper smelter.

In time, the townspeople addressed the industrial plan in the light that they might save their life, their agricultural heritage. The demonstration has made it clear that the interest in economic and industrial advancement should not cost the right to a fresh and habitable environment. The townspeople will certainly not allow selfish motives to contaminate the natural resources of San Juan. They gathered themselves and stood for their fight in spite of the government's strong hand. And that, I can say, is the first "People Power."

I look back in memory of how much this meant to my grandfather, Horacio Marasigan. Time and again, he used to tell me that even a little town could determine its future. He made me realize that it is my duty as well as it is the duty of others to actively participate in environmental affairs in such a way that I am able to contribute to the best interests of the people without sacrificing the virtue of being socially responsible.

People continue to remember the service he has devotedly rendered. And even now that my grandfather is not with us anymore, I see that his legacy lives on.

Ciara Marasigan
January 8,2000

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